The views are definitely worth the hike. Trees line the path and near the top they open up to views of the mountains surrounding you. The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is 5.9 miles roundtrip and has an elevation change of 1,076 feet. It sure looks like it was worth it for those stunning views though. Great views after the two mile mark though! Don't ignore the climb back out. While this is a relatively short hike, you may want to bring snacks and food to keep you fueled during the trek. From this fork is where the rocky bluff begins so you can hike to Big Bluff along the Goat Trail. Loved the hike back up. Relatively easy hike for this 6 mile round trip trek. There is a dedicated parking lot for the hike which has room for probably about 15 cars. Hwy 43 Firetower Road junction Buffalo National River, Compton, AR 72624. It was so foggy you could not see the river or the mountains, we waited an hour and the fog had lifted. With breathtaking views of the river, mountains, and bluff at the end, it combines so many of the things that make the Buffalo National River special! I would love to hike the Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail) in Arkansas. Haha we love you! I have to add this to my list of my must-do hikes so I dont forget. We left our little hikers at home for this one as its definitely more of a challenge and a bit treacherous at spots. From the Centerpoint Trailhead, it is about a 1-hour hike to the spur trail that takes you out onto Big Bluff. We had our hearts set on the well-known Centerpoint to Goat Trail, a 5.9 mile out and back trail whose destination is a famously breathtaking view of the Buffalo River. Seriously, watch that water coming down out of the mountains. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) The trail ends at the juncture of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Trail maps say big bluff is just .8 miles long before it abruptly ends, but this is far from the truth. At 550-ft tall, Big Bluff is just thatbig. I crossed the river 4 or 5 times from one side to the other and walked for an hour without finding anyone. })(); The Happiness Function is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs, which are affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other affiliate sites. These are thing we (or our travel companions) have used and recommend specifically for the Big Bluff trail. We were there in the fall and the river was almost dry. They are also allowed on a few trails, including the Tyler Bend Campground trails (Spring Hollow, Buck Ridge, and Rock Wall in the Middle District) and all three Buffalo Point Campground trails (Forest Trail, Overlook Trail, and Campground Trail in the Lower District). Besides, the long hike out will be a struggle for them (and you). ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Although there is a perspective from the far eastern side of the Goat Trail (behind where the hiker in the photograph is walking) that is better suited for morning photography as its a west-facing shot. Goat Bluff Trail Moderate 4 (84) Buffalo National River Photos (88) Directions Print/PDF map Length 3.0 miElevation gain 275 ftRoute type Out & back Try this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Compton, Arkansas. I love hiking and exploring new trails. As you can see on the map above, as well as on the AllTrails page, the hike to Big Bluff is all downhill, which means that youll be going all uphill on the way back.We had read reports beforehand that said it was a hard hike, but we didnt find the elevation gain to be that brutal on the hike back, but we did have a cooler, cloudy day, which helped!You start the hike at the Centerpoint trailhead in Compton, Arkansas before splitting off onto the Goat Trail, which takes you to Big Bluff, a cool, rocky bluff. It is considered the tallest along the Buffalo at over 500 ft. tall. This looks like an amazing place to hike. The Centerpoint Trailhead is located five minutes or 3.3 miles north of Ponca, Arkansas, off AR HWY 43 N. Ponca is an adorable mountain town in the middle of (almost) nowhere within the upper Buffalo National River. All Rights Reserved. The payout at the end of the strenuous hike is a wide open view of the Buffalo National River, plus a geological wonder. Required fields are marked *. esprit criminel saison 15 reid; pfsense not seeing interface; how tall is tahani the good place; Hello world! Big Bluff Trail leads out about a tenth of a mile before coming out on the face of Big Bluff. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The trail map claims 3 miles to the start of Big Bluff from the Center-point Trail Head. The view from the bluffs in breathtaking as you stand right at the edge and overlook the buffalo. When you get out to the bluff it does get a little narrow my 11 year old didn't feel comfortable going thru that spot so we turned around there maybe 100yds from the end. You are two hearty hikers to do that in the rain! Ive visited Big Bluff multiple times now. Big Bluff Goat Trail | northern Arkansas | - YouTube Welcome back! The surgery would leave him unable to walk for two months and unable to hike for even longer. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as MileValue.com, Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. She loves sharing her adventures both big & small. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. How cool is that?! To get to the Goat Trail, start the hike from Centerpoint Trailhead. Round trip 6.5 miles is a good morning hike, and I like the option to add on. Hotels near Fort Smith Municipal Airport (FSM), Motels near Fort Smith Municipal Airport (FSM), Things to do near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail, Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch & Adventure Park, Budapest Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna, Half Day Zanzibar Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve Snorkeling Tour, Small-Group Dallas and Fort Worth City Sightseeing Tour, Venice City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, 3 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga, Make Your Own Pizza in Rome - Pizza Making with a local Chef, Amber Cove & Taino Bay Shore Excursion, Private Charter on Blue Sky Catamaran, *NEW* BUFFALO RIVER VALLEY VIEWS-5MIN FROM PONCA! However, if you can overcome your fear of heights the trail provides some of the best views of the river and of the Ozark Mountains. Hiked on February 6 2023. How to Hike Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail) in Arkansas, Plan a Weekend Getaway to Mount Magazine State Park- the, 5 Best Places to Camp Along the Arkansas Buffalo River, How to Reach Hawksbill Crag Hiking the Whitaker Point Trail. Technically this route is the Centerpoint Trail to the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, but we have seen it called the Big Bluff Trail, Goat Trail, Centerpoint to Goat Trail, and other names, which made it a bit confusing to understand if they were the same or not.In this guide well call it the Goat Trail to Big Bluff to keep things shorter, but we wanted to mention its various name combinations so youre not confused. This hiking seems fun in Arkansas. From that entry point most of the trail is . 2015 - Solo Pine. Come along for the hike as we climb to the top of Arkansas' famous "Goat Trail". It was neat to see them. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! A little muddy, but no traction needed. My mom has a serious fear of heights, but Im so super proud of her because she made it to the amazing overview you see below! What you should actually avoid is engaging in risky behavior. Be sure to read the terms + conditions of these sites when booking or purchasing! Id love to visit this place twice so itll be hard to choose even when to go once. 8 am 5 pm | Nov Feb. Buffalo Outdoor Center is authorized to provide canoe rentals and transportation services within the Buffalo National River. Check out our channel to get outdoor adventure inspiration! The "Goat Trail" to Big Bluff is narrow and dangerous; visitors should proceed with extreme caution when hiking this section of trail. If youre looking for a big view of the Buffalo River combined with a world-class geologic experience, then Big Bluff and its narrow Goat Trail is your kind of place. This is a video and some pictures of Big Bluff/Goats trail/bluff in Arkansas. Nice trail well maintained. Check out our other guides: Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! It was our first hike in the area and we started later in the day than we should have. Buzzards tend to be the wildlife one sees on Big Bluff or at least an abundance of the gray down feathers youll find scattered about where they roost. This campground is RV-friendly, clean, has fantastic bathrooms, and is open year-round. Being from St. Louis, where the weathermen are always predicting rain that never comes, we simply packed our raincoats and hoped to finish the hike before the storm came in. We hope to get to hike Goat Trail again sometime when the weather is better, and we have more time to enjoy the view. After about 2.6 miles, youll reach a clearing with a campfire ring, where you will want to hang a right to take Goat Trail along the edge of Big Bluff. Because they look so vastly different, Im going to share them separately so you can see the difference. Go out as early as you can because a) tiny parking lot and b) massive numbers of NPCs taking up space and being rude. However, the Buffalo National River is just one of the many things to see and do in this area. Based on reviews, I was nervous about the height and narrowness of the bluffs and the hike on the way out. Buffalo River Trail: Steel Creek Campground to Villines Homestead, Buffalo River Trail from Kyles Landing Campground, Ponca Wilderness and Buffalo National River Loop, Buffalo River Paddle Route: Ponca to Kyles Landing, Paige Falls, Broadwater Hollow, Thunder Canyon via Cecil Cove Trail, Buffalo River Trail: Steel Creek Campground to Erbie Campground, Kyles Landing to Camp Orr via Buffalo River Trail, Buffalo River Trail: Compton to Ponca Backpacking Route. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. The Centerpoint trail is broad and easy to walk, although like so many trails in mountainous Buffalo River country, its basically uphill all the way back (2.5 miles). Never been to Arkansas but would love to visit this trail. With cabins, RV sites, and even lodges that can sleep 30+ people, there are a variety of accommodations. We arrived at the Centerpoint Trailhead bright and early on a Monday morning in November. Buffalo Outdoor Center is a proud recipient of the 2021 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice award. He lived, but it still wasnt a good idea. Thanks so much for reading! Hiking back was no joke! Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. We planned to make it for sunrise at the bluff, so we hit the trail at about 6 am. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Keep your footing. The Centerpoint to Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in Buffalo National River. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Its almost time to hit the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, but before you go, here are a few more things to be aware of, including some rules, parking info, and more! There's a spur off the Centerpoint Trail called Goat Trail, which leads to Big Bluff, a bluff over 500 ft tall and considered the tallest bluff along the Buffalo River. The trail crosses on a shelf of the bluff, which has a great view of the valley but which is narrow at points. Thanks for reading. If you start this hike in the afternoon, carry a light source just in case you're out after dark. Hiking the Big Bluff Goat Trail from the Centerpoint Trailhead is about a 6 mile hike. The ledge at the end is wide enough for two people to walk side by side without being too close to the edge. The Centerpoint Trailhead is located approximately 3 miles north of Ponca, AR, directly across Hwy. The Goat Trail starts about 2.5 miles down. This 1 2/3-mile hike offers a twist on the Bluff Trail, going along and just above the coast of Montaa de Oro State Park. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. She's a road trip aficionado, an avid hiker, lover of learning + culture and an all-around wanderess. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Bicycles are permitted only on authorized trails: Creamery Meadow and Ridge trails. The hike down to Big Bluff is relatively easy, though rocky. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 8 min to complete. Thanks for the great guide. Like 900 ft. Go down the goat trail to enjoo ok y one of the best views in the Ozarks. On paper it might seem that way, but in action it's just a gorgeo. This trail will take you all the way to Hemmed-in-Hollow Falls if you want to lump those two sites into one day.TRAILHEAD LOCATION: The hike to Big Bluff starts at the Centerpoint Trailhead which is located near Possum Trot right off of Highway 43.TRAIL DIFFICULTY: This trail is decently steep and once you get to Big Bluff it becomes just a narrow, rocky ledge. Fun fact, the Goat Trail gets its name from the descendents of goats that were brought there by pioneers and these goats either escaped or were released. But even more importantly, make sure you have bags to put your trash in so you can pack out what you brought. As for photography, weve found the best time to capture Big Bluff is in the afternoon once the sun has moved into mid-afternoon position, say 3:00 PM or so. Bring bug spray! When researching this hike we saw this hike called a variety of names. I wasn't sure we would be up to tackling it but hubby and I are so glad we did. Big Bluff demands we all be on our best behavior in exchange for enjoying one of the most lofty views of the Buffalo National River accessible by hiking trail. Excellent trail. This allows us to continue publishing free travel and gear guides. There is really only one long stretch back up hill that is hard, but otherwise the climb back up wasnt that bad. Pin this hiking guide to help plan your adventure! Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! There are already a lot of great resources out there to help provide you with . If you love hiking in the wilderness, then youll love hiking the Centerpoint Trail to Big Bluff. We founded The Happiness Function to show you how to seek fulfillment outdoors through an active lifestyle, hiking, camping, and road-tripping in the USA. more, The Haygoods: Branson's Most Popular Show, The Petersens at The Little Opry Theatre in Branson, Admission ticket to The Texas Tenors in Branson, Beyond The Lens! Check out our other articles related to hiking and camping in Arkansas: Feel free to leave us a comment below if you have any questions. While youre in the area, there are other great hikes. It was a little over 6.5 miles roundtrip taking the Goat Trail to the Big Bluff with around a 1000 ft. descent going in and a 1000 ft. ascent coming back. If youre hiking in the Ponca area, you might enjoy checking out these other hiking trails: Check back soon for new articles about hiking in the Buffalo National River, Ponca Wilderness, Ozark National Forest, and Northwest Arkansas! Dont over-pace yourself on the first half, the trip back will demand your stamina lol Loving your adventures and loving these views too! Looking for a good home base to explore the Buffalo National River and hike the Goat Trail to Big Bluff? I want to do Big Bluff in the spring next year so I can see the river at a nice, high point so you can really see thathorseshoe bend! Hi Sarah! Twenty campers died in a flash flood in 2010. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. We absolutely loved it! In and out down-sloping gravel trail that could pose a challenge to some hiking back out. A little muddy at spots, and steep climb coming back, but absolutely worth the trek. listeners: [], However, the trail was pretty rocky at times, so make sure you have good shoes and keep an eye on where youre stepping so you dont trip!After about 45 minutes to 1 hour of hiking on the Centerpoint Trail, youll reach an open area with a fire ring to the left and trails straight ahead (which we hear goes to the river) and to the right. Looks like such a lovely hike!! He was correct. It almost looks like a beehive. This post contains affiliate links, which means well receive a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. Only reason for the 4 stars is the return was all uphill the whole way and that snow and ice on the trail was much more an issue. Your photos are stunning by the way! After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Make sure you go past the hole in the rock for the best part of the whole trail. As you can see on the map above, as well as on the AllTrails page, the hike to Big Bluff is all downhill, which means that you'll be going all uphill on the way back. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. In this hiking guide were sharing all of the details about hiking to Big Bluff on the Goat Trail, including where to start, trail stats, things to know before you go, our experience, as well as some other spots to check out nearby. You can do it! We live in Tulsa and cant wait to check it out. Big Bluff & The Goat Trail (Compton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Big Bluff is part of the Buffalo River Trail, so dont think the trail will simply end. No restrooms there, but a decent gas stop and convenience store was just a short distance before we got there. Found out about this hike while doing my research for our trip to the Buffalo National River area. The side trail that leads to an outcropping on the bluff is called the Goat Trail and is about 350 ft. tall. 3. 360122 N 932147 W There are several connector routes to different hiking trails in the Buffalo River Valley, making it a very easy place to spend a lot of time outdoors. big bluff goat trail deaths. It is best to get here around sunrise or close to sunset to have the best chance to see some elk. Its an out and back hike, so you will return the same way as you came.One important thing we wanted to mention about this trail is its name. I love hiking the view is always worth the trek! The trail is rocky, and the way back is almost entirely uphill, but it is a trail accessible to most hikers just make sure to wear sturdy shoes. The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is just one of the many things to do in the Buffalo National River area! The payoff is the bluffs, which are beautiful. The differences between your fall and summer pics are so stunning! "TINY CABIN", View all hotels near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail on Tripadvisor. You most likely wont see any while youre there, but they do roam somewhere out there!Once getting onto the Goat Trail, the scenery starts to get more interesting. Thats not a joke. Overall a great trail despite the death of the last huge incline going out. Very rocky getting down but doable. Taking in a panoramic view while gettingsome shade! Ozark Cabins has quite a few properties around the Buffalo National River, including some right across from the trailhead. You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. We camped at the base of the Hemmed in Hollow trail, by the river. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Had we visited a week or two sooner, we can only imagine how even more gorgeous it wouldve been! We hear that the trail takes about 3-4 hours for most people to complete this hike, but plan extra time if you want to stop for snacks or if you like to take your time hiking.If youre visiting the Buffalo National River, we couldnt recommend this trail more! Nor is it the place for a beer fest or the intake of any other substance that can alter your balance and/or judgement, even if its a Dramamine. We entered at Center Point trail. The trail's destination is the Big Bluff overlooking the Buffalo River. Finally I found two people who were riding a horse and were heading towards the place and I followed them. Many reviews have said that the hike is dangerous and can be scary if youre afraid of heights.We didnt think the hike was dangerous, as long as youre careful. what does greyson mean in the bible This creek level is OK. Feel free to splash around in water levels two or three times this highjust know that flash flooding is a real problem in the springtime, and water levels can rise suddenly. } The main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. In this guide were sharing everything you need to know before hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff in the Buffalo National River, including trail stats, what to bring, and more!Despite living in Texas for the majority of our lives, we never visited Arkansas and boy, were we missing out! The Big Bluff, otherwise known as the Goat Trail, sits 550' above the Buffalo National River and the trail is only about 4 feet wide. Users of the outdoors website All Trails rated Cougar Crest 4.5 out of 5 stars and listed it as "moderate." Related Articles This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The Buffalo National River is home to a few more traditional campgrounds. Great hiking. Since we started the hike early and were the first ones on the trail, we had Big Bluff all to ourselves, which made the experience even better! Such beautiful views reminds me a lot of the hikes we do on the NSW South Coast of Australia very similar views. (function() { The trail becomes a bit more choose your own adventure in some areas, where you can climb up some rocks to continue on the trail, or stick to the more traditional trail. Check out our blog for more close by . Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! Have a great hike next time you go, Ashlee & Pablo. The weather is cooler, there are little to no bugs, and the area is quieter. What attractions are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? I was and am still scared of heights. You come to a Y in the trail and the campground sits in the middle of the Y. Good for your mom for getting up and out there, Im sure she liked the views once she got there, even if they were a little scary. What a beautiful hike!! The trail is an old logging trail and can be rocky at times. Rocky, so wear boots if you like your ankles to work for you absolutely worth the hike out. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while.